Mar
Titles
People have asked about my title. I do not have one. Some Heathen organizations and individuals love to bestow titles on themselves. I have avoided that temptation. Too many people become more entranced with getting a title than acquiring all of the skills it is supposed to represent.
There was a time when people were entranced with the idea of a “black belt” in the martial arts. New students always asked how long it would take to earn the “black belt.” Magazine ads offered mail order courses that would lead to a black belt and a matching certificate. The result was people who chased the belt rather than the knowledge it was supposed to represent.
One of the most effective hand-to-hand combat teachers I ever met had his own thoughts about degrees. “You are only as good as you are, and no belt would change that,” he said.
In the bad old days, it was said that some people would take a cut in pay just to get a better-sounding title. (The actual people depended on local prejudices.) That is not always a joke. There are individuals so interested in having a title that they would accept a lower pay scale to get it.
Many years ago, I considered taking a course in metaphysics. I thought it would have to be a good course, since it led to attaining a certain degree of recognition. A teacher took me aside and told me that all the course did was get people a title. She said that few, if any, would really develop expertise. She suggested I take a basic text and study and practice it until I could use it. “You will have more than them, because you would actually be able to make metaphysics work for you,” she said.
When I learned the Runes and Old Wisdom, there was never mention of degrees or titles. We had none. The subject was studied on its own merits. Besides, who would we impress with a title? This was a secret thing. Nobody was supposed to know about it.
Are you here for the ability to use these things or are you seeking recognition? Would you rather have the skill or impress others?
As you may have surmised, titles do not sway me. If people insist on announcing their titles to me, the impression they make is not the one they intended. When I hear a title, be it Heathen or Pagan, my first thought is: “Here comes a jackass.” That person then has the unfortunate burden of proving to me that he is not a nincompoop. Titles, ranks and grades are false ideals. They do not make a person more capable.
You are only as good as you are. Better to be able to do it than to get a title.
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Back in the old days when I studied several magickal systems, there were a few which had a series of grades. Students became concerned with working their way through the grades. They thought that once they achieved a high enough grade, they would be expert magicians. The actual key to expertise is much simpler.
Study the power signs of your magickal tradition. For Heathens, that would be the Runes, elements and Gods. Twice a day, spend at least five minutes meditating on one of them. Think about it. Look for examples of how it works. Look for its manifestations in the everyday world and your own experiences. Learn its operating principle and its essence.
At the same time, learn three simple magickal techniques. Pick those that you can use without preparation or tools. One will appeal most to you. Practice it until you can make it work for you. (I suggest one or two should be spoken spells, since they require no tools.) You might wish to add a few other techniques as time goes on.
If you do this faithfully, you will have real magickal expertise. Though you will get results throughout your studies, real attainment takes three to five years. You will be able to make it work for you, which is more than 99.99% of the people who purport to study magick.
